Shadow projector



P 4, 1934- J. G. ZIMMERMAN 1,972,123

SHADOW PROJECTOR Filed May 16, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 p 1 J. G. ZIMMERMAN 1,972,123

SHADOW PROJECTOR Filed May 16, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 LE W2 hlrwesfmmmrz A 5 Q zzz'da/ A /63 .5.

Patented Sept. 4, 1-934 SiT- ATE'S PATENT OFFICE SHADOW PROJECTOR "James G."Zimn1erman, Madison, Wis.

A Application May 16, 1931, Serial No. 537,768 4'Claims. (o1.4o- -130) inventiomrelates to projector devices, and

asiwefl'as'for' otherpurposes, such as commercial advertising.

515. "-Anctlrenobject of my" invention is to provide a projector "whereins-hadowpictures may be projected "either horizontally or "vertically without cliangingthe'position of'the projector.

.j 'hnother object of my invention is to provide a" 20; shbdowprojector device having apoint source'of light and having a' series of silhouette objects mounted onzan elongated transparent'film' material, "whereby the film-r may "be: moved across the, projection"end"of'"the*device;tsuch as by being projector having a plurality of guide ways for 25 mounted'on suitable manually'operable rollers.

' 'A further object of myinvention is'to provide suitable :slide structures of inexpensive, simple arid durableconstruction on which a transparent material is mountedion airame and on which s me objects to 'be projected; such as silhouettes,

are mounted.

' nrfurther' object *of my invention is to provide asiiitable slide structure comprising a frame hav-' ing a transparent backing material, such as loose- Eii l a-woven fine -gauze or chiffon, stretched or mountedon :one side thereof so as to provide a th;like,-.sd.that ithas'not been feasible to permit children td. use .them as a toy,:amusement or.

educational device. .The presentinvention contemplates an apparatusl. or. device, both durable and inexpensive,

which is .designed to be safe when used. by'chil-.

dren, .andalso. one iwhich has commercial value,

such .as forprojectingiadvertising slides in public places,-asin ordinary retail stores orshow places.-

Thetype'ofslide whichI prefer to use with my device,-= is -cne. hawng a transparent backing means-mounted'onlan inexpensive frame and on which suitable objects may be mounted; as will *be hereinafter more fully explained. I'prefe'rto use a backing of cloth, fabric or other diaphanous material having a fine texture, loosely woven, such as chiffon cloth or florists ribbon, which, when stretched onto a suitable frame, will permit light to pass therethrough substantially unobstructed, for projecting shadows of any objects mounted thereon, and yet such cloth backing will not be projected.

Preferably, I secure a point source of light by use of an opaque diaphragm, having an opening therein for defining, collecting or concentrating the light rays, in conjunction with a light, said diaphragm being spaced between the light and the object or objects to be projected. The size of said opening in the diaphragm, and the positioning of said diaphragm relative to the light, being dependent upon the size or strength of the light bulb used and the size of the filament area of said bulb, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

I provide means at the end of the projector opposite the light source for receiving and holding the slides to be projected! More particularly said means is in the form of an extension on the receiving one or more slides.

In another modified form of a device embodying the salient features of the present invention, the slide'receiving or guide means for the slides are mounted at one end'of the projector, but inside thereof.

By'providing a point source of light having a sharp definition, pictures or shadows may be projected clearly without lenses and the like, and the projector will always be in focus without regard to the distance from the screen or object on which the light is to be projected. My device is safe for children, also, because of the absence of breakable parts and because of being of low power consumption, my device being adapted to be operated by a small flashlight bulb and battery. I may also use a transformer 01 other suitable resistance for reducing ordinary house current, in which case different strength bulbs having different filament areas may be used. Because of said sharp definition or point source of light, large area slides, impossible to be projected with a poor source of i1- lumination or with lenses, except the most expensive ones,-:are successfully projected by my improved device.

In addition, I provide means for projecting shadows, images and the like without having to change the position of the projector. In this modification, objects and designs may be projected on a horizontal surfaceabove the projector, such cut-out;

Figure 13 isan elevational View oiianother. of

as a ceiling, or they may be projected on any suitable vertical surface, such as a wall or a portable screen. This characteristic, or adaptais ty for either horizontal or ve" cal projection without having to change the position of the projector, 1 preferably accomplish by means of a hinged reflector adapted to he swung down from the cover of the projector into the light beam for reflecting the same up through an opening in the cover, which, when not use for that purpose, so hinged as to close opening in the cover and permit the light rays to pass through the end of the projector for ordinary horizontal prc'eotion onto a vertical surface, as hereinafter more speciiically explained in the detailed description.

I have found that certain smooth and clear materials, lilze celluloid, cellophane, or the like, work equally well as a backing, when mounted on the frame of the slides. Such material is advantagecus in that it permits the pasting 5: shadow cut-outs thereon, and in the event that paste or glue is smeared on the background, the same may be easily washed oil. Also, theslides are apt to become dirty, and such material permits of cleaning. Glass, is not a safe material to be used in the making of slides, when small children are allowed to use them; However, I wish to he understood that regular lantern slides properly may be used with my device. 7 l 'y projector hasan advantage over the ordinary magic lantern in thata child may prepare his ow slides from time totime, it beingapparont that in that way. my device amounts to an educational device for the child which adds incentive and interest to his endeavors. v

Further objects and advantages of iny invention will appear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, illustrated Figure 6 is a perspective view or" a modification showing a continuous film mounted on plurality of manually operable rollers;

Figure 7 is a perspective or" a modification, in

whi. 11 shadow pictures may he adapted to be projected both vertically as well as horizcntally the apparatus being shown in a horizontal position for vertical projection;

v Figure 8 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of'the modification shown in Figure '7- except that. the device is incondition for horizontal projection; Figure 9 is an elevational view of one of slides; i Figure 10 .is a sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of Figure 9;'

Figure ll is anelevational view of a one piece cut-out slide; v Figure 12 is an elevational view of a silhouette my slides and V Figure 14 is a perspective View ofrny improved folding slide. 7

Referring now to Figure; .1, Ijprovide an clone to receive! the Said jbulhs are ofth ti f or directing gated box lof suitable opaque material, such as of sheet metal, having a removable cover 2 with depending flanges 3. An opening 11 is provided in one end of the box 1, and in said opening is mounted, as by welding, a slide *eceiving extenmeans 21, having an opening 22 in alinement with opening 11 and of equal size therewith. Co ecting uprights 23, and guides 24 and 25 are ured to thetop and botto "portions thereof, espeetivelg, for-Leech g at the other end of the box is mounted a flashlight or other small bulb l2, suitably mounted in a socket so on a bracket 13, suitably held to the bottom of the cox l as by a bolt or rivet 14. A suitahlelantern or dry battery 15 is clamped at that endin 1e box by means of a strap loop by 1 s; 17. The bulb 12 has suitable gconh'ections29 secured to said battery 15.

in t 1e box 1 between the light 12 and the opening 11 'atthe other end thereof is mounted a ateri w i lee-bulb vidii g su ,in' p.15 see too opening 11, throws a sharp definitlc'noi light strikin th size-withthe I I In the mod fications a -bulh, is, mounted inv 313 mountedo ,ajtr'ia, isrriounted o tQe'ho 28.; The wire leading for connectionw o, ord ing the customarypltig orl ca thereof, is'prov'ided't J 36 at that "endjof sulatinglhushing toinohile headl current, tr n o the voltage to the a. i

point 'sourc'e ofllig use In 'ordergto' I provide 3;

Fi ure ZSsecure relation and in'g said plates, hy is centrally th r' of in 32 Ziidthe o llin 'llat'litiu 1, means for defir l; the hull) 30 and ac slide receiving me ns 21 1a the ct box. It will be not a ora'gin shown w inFigureZ 1 b p e ,iu-lh ,T flfii resv phra'grnf suchpas h lustrated in Figur operate successfully,

where. for bedridden patients, pictures thrown apparent that not only may silhouette or other .tobjects beimounted as bypasting, on the,back-.

upwardly ontoa ceiling ,or elevated screen can be; vlewedmoreeasily. oi When the. reflector 95 isnot being used it is. Qgplaced in the position shoWn;-.in1.1"'ull.:1ines:in.; Figure 18,, and it is i normally held. in that position by means of a manuallyrreleasabie spring. latch-99 secured to theunder side of .ccverw2 in'. any suitable manner, suchas by rivets 100. :When:

;,jzhe-reflector '95 and-member 9 1. grexiriaraised x :device:

position, :as shown infulllines in Figure 3, they act as a means for substantially precluding any.

ln this, modiflcationthe mounting of tliebulb; 12"

and of the diaphragm 13 are practically identical '1 with that shown inFigure l. .Theiopeningz; 19in;

20; ,gthe i diaphragm 18 directs the light rays *emanat--- ing from thebulb' 12 toward the opening 11 at the other end of the box, and when the member 94 5:.

resistance; With a plurality of-taps the portion;

is -in inclined position. said opening--19v directs. 'theilight toward the inclined reflector 95, from: vyhence the light rays are: caused to-beprojected upwardly'through theopening 91.". 1 1 L-will next describefthe structure ofiniyxiniproved slides; which I prefer to use in connection' with my projector device, or box,- just describedu One modification of :my improved-slide struoture consists of a stampedor-out-outgunitary or: one"v piece, structure, asrillustrated in Figure 11,-, wherein .a one. "piece slide 105 has openings 106;

or cut-outportions-therein, forming any suitable" 35.. ,;,qonfiguration.- Said slide may be of any desirable.-::

material such as cardboard or the like. Figures .rality of. grooves for accommodating more, than 9 andlO illustrate another embodiment .of'my invention wherein I provide a slide. structure con;

sistingof two frames 101*and1c2 each having a central opening. 103. Asuitable transparentgoi translucent backing material 104, such as fine gauze'orthelike, is stretched over the openings lother than slides-such as a'hand, or the like, may .be placed in'the light beam-of my 103 and between the virarne'.rnembers 101- and 102, and the two frame memberslOland 102- are .then'suitably secured together. It is evi-- dent that such: a structure .presents la -means whereby any suitable object such as pictures, cartoons,-or silhouettes may be glued, pasted or.. otherwise secured on the backing 10%.. -In'-.the. modification shown in Figures 9 and lulprefer. to use a fine transparent loosely woven gauze for the ebacking 104, such as chiffon or "florists gauze, however it is to be'understoodfthat any translucent material, such as. celluloid or other; v

i wish-to be limited by the l imonbreakable substance, may

be used instead ofa gauze material. l

Figure 12 is representative not: any suitable,

silhouetteobject 107 which is preferably stamped: or cut out of cardboard or. the like and then pastedon the backing 10 1 of theslide structure. Figure 13 shows a slide 'lilesimilar'to' Figures but one employing a frame les'which maybe of single-ply and having a backingtlldof celluloseacetate or similar inaterialfl i I. Figure i l-illustrates another modifloati-on'of myiinvention, wherein I provide, a foldingfra'rne structure 111 preferably made of one piece and comprising right and left .hand frame portions 112 *alfldill3, respectively, eachhaving central 70. openings 118 and 11 7. "The portions 'l 12and'1-13 comprise frames :1'15 'and l'lfi which are connected orhinged:together, as at 114. ,Artransparent backing 119 ismounted over opening 117 in the frame portion 116, as'by being glued'thereom'on which backing suitable objects may be mounted.

hence the brilliancyof thepbulb can. be. th-usade justed forany specific condition. This particular arrangement isjadvantageous-in that it is safe, for

out, the circuit: thr

By Y virtue of .this folding. frame. structure it is ing. 119,.but numerous other objectsmay vbe jlooselya inserted between-theright, and lefthand- 9, frame portions as will beunderstoodbythose'exe jperienced .insthera'rt; The entire'folding Irame structure 111. when-jinfolded conditionwmay be. inserted-in the slidereceiving means" provided adjacent the projection opening of my projection The transparent-medium: or glass 92, Figures 7. and 8, in the opening 91, being; depressed below :the level of the cover 2,- forms. 1 a.- support. for receiving objectsto' be projectedvertically. Any

desired object,- such as re'presented on the mem-' ban-"92in-dotted'lines :injFig. 7, may bezlaid ithereon'for projectionx; In'steadxofxa transformer, for reducing housen current; a suitable: resistancemay also beused,

. -epreferabIy one' with-a: plurality, of taps so that ;theibulb may beshunt'ed across a portion of the of the resistance shunted maybe-varied, and.;;.

children: to use' on' ordinary house current of wvolts," either AcC, or D. 'C.' .Should the bulb burn ough the i resistance :-is not 105 'aopenedn r I havefound'that coloring. on the backingof myslides will be projected; orthe .objects to be .projected'can be colored and slightly transparent so that the .projectionthereof will be colored: Where the. slide receiving means has a pluone slide at a time :the representationson the slides maybe coordinated so that different effects may-be obtainedxbyxdifferent grouping oftheslides which are: simultaneously projected;

It will be readily apparent that any'objects,

"tors-instead of glass, or the provisionof a box without a removable-hover;"and, therefore, I: only appendedclaims. Whatl3 claimis: 1.1In-combination,a light proof box, an opening at one end of thebox; a separate light proof com-'1' pertinent having opaquewalls in said box over said opening and at the same-end thereof, a point source flight in said compartment, a reflector at. the other end of the box, one 'ofsaid-Walls of the compartme-nt having anopeningtherethrough for-I:

iso

positioned for directing said rays through said opening onto a screen spaced therefrom, the light being positioned adjacent the end of the box having the opening.

3. In a device of the class described, in combination, an opaque box having an opening at one end, an intensified light source of small area disposed in said box, means disposed adjacent the opening in said box and adapted to receive images to be projected by the light source onto a screen spaced an appreciable distance from the box whereby the projected image will be viewed from the same side of the screen from which they are projected, and means in said box for preventing scattered light from reaching the image, said last means being spaced from the opening in said box and having an opening therein for collecting and defining the intensified rays of light which are passed through the openingin said box, the opening in said last means being of such area that the rays of light passing therethrough will be coned outwardly and concentrated over approximately the entire area of the opening in said box.

4. A projection device comprising a box having an opening therein, a source of light in said box, a reflector in said box, and opaque means for concentrating and directing the light rays from said light source onto said reflector, said reflector being so positioned as to direct said light rays through the opening in said box onto a screen spaced therefrom.

' JAMES G. ZIMMERMAN. 

